Codex standard could see whey permeate market ‘explode' in Asia

That is the forecast made by Arla Foods Ingredients, one of the world’s leading permeate producers and one of a number of major dairy companies involved in the process of creating the new standard. 

Permeate is a by-product of whey manufacturing. It is a low-cost carbohydrate ingredient often used as a bulk sweetener in snacks, chocolate, confectionery, ice cream, desserts, beverages and bakery products. 

It is valued for its ability to replace other more expensive milk solids in food products without altering tastes or textures, or requiring any changes to processing parameters. Used as an alternative to whey powder, demineralised whey powder and lactose, whey permeate can optimise product quality in a range of applications. 

However, there is currently no Codex agreement for dairy permeate, a factor that deters many countries from allowing it in food and beverage products. 

China, for example, offers huge potential for the ingredient, but the lack of a standard means the authorities do not permit its use. In other parts of the world, permeate is already approved, though many companies are reluctant to use it because there is no global consensus on how it should be labelled. 

At this summer’s Codex annual meeting, dairy companies agreed to develop a new standard for permeate within two years in order to address this and other technical issues, such as harmonisation of product quality and consistency. But it is hoped that the process will be fast-tracked to completion within 12 months. 

In total 733,000 tonnes of permeate were produced in 2014, according to figures from the International Dairy Federation. North America accounts for more than half of this, but the majority of output there is used in animal feed. 

Morten Kaas, Arla’s director general for foods, said: “Permeate is a relatively new ingredient that has only been used in the food industry for the past 10 to 15 years. When the Codex standard for dairy permeate is agreed the market will explode into life​. 

“Most significantly, we hope China will authorise its use, and if that happens it is possible that other markets in Asia will follow. We’re confident that we’ll be able to fast-track the creation of the Codex standard so that it is in place during summer 2016​. 

“This gives food manufacturers an opportunity to start formulation trials now to see how permeate can benefit their business​.”